USS Medea (AKA-31)

USS "Medea" (AKA-31) was an "Artemis" class attack cargo ship named after the minor planet 212 Medea, which in turn was named for a mythical enchantress who helped Jason win the Golden Fleece. USS "Medea" served as a commissioned ship for 15 months.

"Medea" (AKA-31) was laid down under Maritime Commission contract 5 August 1944, by Walsh–Kaiser Co., Inc., Providence, RI; launched 30 November 1944; sponsored by Mrs. A. C. Clarke; and commissioned 10 January 1945, Lt. Comdr. Wesley A. Sherberth in command.

Following shakedown in Chesapeake Bay, "Medea" loaded cargo at Hampton Roads, and steamed to Hawaii, arriving Pearl Harbor 3 March 1945. Departing Honolulu 6 April, she operated in the Marianas for the next 2 months, before embarking troops for Okinawa. She arrived off the Hagushi beaches, Okinawa 10 June, and spent the next 9 days discharging troops and cargo. After the cessation of hostilities on 15 August, she carried occupation troops from the Philippines to Japan until November, when she reported for duty with the "Magic Carpet" fleet.

"Medea" decommissioned in the 8th Naval District, headquartered at New Orleans, 24 April 1946. She was struck from the Naval Register 15 October, and transferred to the War Shipping Administration 29 October.

"Medea" received one battle star for World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/m8/medea.htm Naval Historical Center: USS "Medea"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/02031.htm NavSource Online: AKA-31 "Medea"]
* [http://ussrankin.org/id352.htm 51 Years of AKAs]